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dispute with the Salzburgers； but the friendliest relations existed； and the
Moravian cabins were always open to them when they came to Savannah。
Nor were they slow to avail themselves of the kindness。 Gronau and
Bolzius often lodged with them； and others came in groups of nine or ten
to spend the night。During the evening stories would be exchanged as to
their circumstances in the home lands； and their reasons for leaving there；
and then sometimes the hosts would spread hay upon the floor for their
guests； at other times give up their own beds； and themselves sleep upon
the floor。
With their nearer neighbors in Savannah； they were also upon cordial
terms； though they found few who cared for religious things。The Jews
were particularly courteous to them； inviting Spangenberg into their
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Synagogue； and bringing gifts of meat and fish on several occasions when
help was sorely needed on account of the illness of some of their number； …
… for Riedel was not the only one who was seriously ill； though no others
died。 All the conditions in Georgia were so different from what they were
accustomed to in Germany that it took them some time to adapt
themselves； and longer to become really acclimated； and they noticed that
the same was true of all new…comers。 All of the Moravians were sick in
turn； many suffering from frosted feet； probably injured on the voyage
over； but Spangenberg； Toeltschig； Haberecht and Demuth were
dangerously ill。Nearly all of the medicine brought from Europe was gone；
and what they could get in Savannah was expensive and they did not
understand how to use it； so they were forced to depend on careful nursing
and simple remedies。 Turpentine could easily be secured from the pines；
Spangenberg found an herb which he took to be camomile； which had a
satisfactory effect； and with the coming of the cooler autumn weather most
of the party recovered their health。
Probably the food was partly responsible for their troubles； though
they tried to be careful； and cooked everything thoroughly。 Rice and salt…
meat were their chief articles of diet； for bread cost so much that they soon
gave it up entirely； substituting cornmeal mush； and butter was so dear as
to be entirely out of the question。 During the summer months which
preceded the harvest； they could get neither corn； rice nor beans at the
store； so lived on mush； salt…meat； and the beans they themselves had
planted。Fresh meat was a great treat； particularly when it enabled them to
prepare nourishing broth for their sick； and once Rose shot a stag； giving
them several good meals； but this happened so seldom as to do little
toward varying the monotony of their fare。
Drinking water was held to be responsible for the swollen feet and
nausea from which many of them suffered； so they made a kind of
sassafras beer； which proved palatable and healthful； and used it until they
had become accustomed to the climate； when they were able to drink the
water。
When the Moravians came to Georgia they brought with them a little
ready money； the gift of English friends； and their cash payments secured
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The Moravians in Georgia
them good credit at the Trustees' store。 Other merchants sought their
patronage； but they decided to run an account at one place only； and
thought Mr。 Causton； as the Trustees' agent； would give them the most
liberal treatment。Their hardest time financially； as well as regarding health；
was during the summer； when credit came to be accorded grudgingly； and
finally Spangenberg； personally； borrowed 15 Pounds sterling； and applied
it on their account； which restored their standing in Mr。 Causton's eyes。On
Feb。 8th； 1736； they decided to buy enough corn； rice and salt…meat to last
until harvest； having learned by sad experience how very dear these
necessities were later in the year。Very little work had been done which
brought in ready money； for their time had been fully occupied in building
their house and clearing the land； but all things were prepared for the
coming of the second company； with whose assistance they expected to
accomplish much。 In February the two carpenters were engaged to build a
house for Mr。 Wagner； a Swiss gentleman who had recently arrived； and
rented one of the Moravian cabins temporarily； and this was the beginning
of a considerable degree of activity。
The intercourse of the Moravians with the other residents of Savannah
was much impeded by their ignorance of the English language； and it
occurred to Spangenberg that it might be a good thing to take an English
boy； have him bound to them according to custom； and let them learn
English by having to speak to him。 About July a case came to his
knowledge that roused all his sympathies； and at the same time afforded a
good opportunity to try his plan。 〃I have taken a four…year…old English boy
into our family。 He was born in Charlestown； but somehow found his way
to Savannah。 His father was hanged； for murder I have heard； and his
mother has married another man； and abandoned the child。A woman here
took charge of him； but treated him most cruelly。Once she became angry
with him； took a firebrand； and beat him until half his body was burned；
another time she bound him； and then slashed him with a knife across the
back； and might have injured him still more if a man had not come by and
rescued him。The magistrates then gave him to other people； but they did
not take care of him； and hearing that he was a bright child； I decided to
offer to take him。The Magistrates gladly agreed； and will write to his
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The Moravians in Georgia
relatives in Charlestown； and if they do not claim him he will be bound to
us。He is already proving useful to the Brethren； as he speaks English to
them； and they are rapidly learning to speak and to understand。I am
sending him to an English school； as I wo